What I didn't know about the Coaches Poll

Looked at the point totals for today's Coaches Poll. Looks like we're solidly behind LSU, but only slightly ahead of Georgia. The key is gaining and maintaining separation from LSU/Georgia in the SEC and Oklahoma/Texas in the Big 12.

I was mistaken in thinking every coach votes. Simple addition could have given me a clue. Of the Top Ten, Michigan, ND, Oklahoma and UCF are not represented. Not sure what this might mean for the first CFP rankings, but the CFP board could have a slightly or more than slightly different view of the top ten than either coaches or media. Could move us up or down, but I doubt Harbaugh gets the benefit of the doubt from some of these coaches, especially the Liar and the Scowler. Same from SEC coaches.

Obviously, things will move based on performance, but the very fact that not all coaches vote and we've heard how staffers often fill out ballots makes me think this poll may not translate into similar rankings after the first four.

They just got blown out by a team that lost to EMU. I know teams evolve throughout the season, but they were obliterated by someone who lost to a MAC team. This doesn't generally happen to top 10 teams. And they struggled with Minnesota and Indiana. They have no defense and they can't run the ball. How can any reasonable person think they're a top 10 team.

Michigan is going to have to convince the selection committee they belong in the top 4. I hate to say this but... beating an undefeated, #2 ranked OSU would have been a lot more valuable than beating an OSU team that has a loss and is not ranked in the top 10.

Honestly, at this point I would rather Michigan spank a helpless OSU @ the Horseshoe leaving no doubt on the score board, in the final record, or in the rankings that we are #1.... and that the Tide has shifted. I want recruits to be overwhelmed by what Urban could not get out of his 5* studded team, and to choose Michigan instead. If that means winning B1G Championship but missing out of the playoffs because of some stupid rule... this year I am fine with that. (not happy about the idea, but fine with watching OSU slither into the dark hole from which they came).

This is the smartest deep-breath comment I have heard from any of my fellow Wolverines in the last 36 hours. Not pertaining to the Coaches Poll particularly, but the general nature of the OSU loss and its effect on all of the playoff metrics.

If OSU wins there next three games they will easily be top 10 again. Then we will have 4 wins against ranked teams in the last 6 games. Plus the Big Ten Title game. Win out and we are a lock for the playoff.

Assuming Bama, Clemson & ND hold set, if Oklahoma wins out they'd definitely be in the conversation. I think we still get the nod with a stronger strength of schedule, but it's nowhere near 100%. If Texas wins out we should be solid due to their Maryland loss since the committee does consider common opponents.

100%. Just like how the committee wanted OSU in the first playoff over TCU. They want Harbaugh and Michigan in. They wanted them in 2016 and if not for one of games (either Iowa or OSU) they would have been in.

I could have been a little clearer, but I get that. Just speculating on how different the CFP committee's rankings could be from what we've been seeing. They might see us closer to LSU than the coaches or writers, which would be encouraging for final outcomes.

The 1-loss Bama scenario isn't even that bizarre. They could lose to LSU, or they could lose in the SEC Championship game. Then there's Clemson, Notre Dame, and the SEC Champion. I've already seen people on Twitter advocating that Alabama get in as the 4th team over Michigan in those scenarios. It doesn't make any sense to me, and I think the precedent is against it, but that's where we are at this point.

Alabama will knock off LSU and Georgia (if they win the SEC east, in the SEC championship game). Michigan will have the 4th spot if we win the remainder our games. May be jump ahead of ND to the third spot. I much rather play Clemson than Alabama in the first round.

For what it's worth, these rankings are for entertainment purposes only and give us a barometer of where teams stand. Michigan's bye comes before the first playoff committee poll comes out, so we get the benefit of any doubt resulting from this weekend's games.

I don't see the committee putting Michigan in the Top Four week one. But that will change based on the upcoming schedule.

The biggest game next Saturday is Florida-Georgia. And the following week is huge with Alabama going to Baton Rouge to play LSU and Michigan squaring off at home against Penn State. Notre Dame has Navy and Northwestern the next two weeks.

I hate to say this but ND should be ranked in front of Clemson. Not sure if they are better but ACC is weak AF this year and ND has better wins. Lets hope FSU can pull the upset this week. Also, would help if PSU would soundly beat Iowa - we are going to need all the quality ranked wins we can get.